Pexels and Google DeepMind team up on Visualising AI

How art can help make conversations about AI easier to understand

Industry-leading AI lab, Google DeepMind, is launching the third phase of its groundbreaking project Visualising AI today.

Visualising AI sees Google DeepMind team up with talented artists and creatives to produce imaginative and visually unique art that makes the topic of AI more accessible and understandable to a broader range of people. Each artist is paired with DeepMind scientists and researchers to explore specific themes frequently covered in the news and media around AI - like robotics, machine learning or safety and ethics. The artist is then free to interpret the theme however they choose and to give their unique interpretation.

The entire Visualising AI collection, along with brand-new images and motion graphics from the latest launch, is now available to download for free on Pexels.

Background:

For many people, AI can be a challenging concept to understand. With terms like "algorithms," "machine learning," and "data processing" peppering discussions, it's no wonder that AI seems daunting.

On top of the associated jargon, AI's impact on society introduces another layer to understanding. As AI systems influence our decisions, power our digital assistants, and even drive our cars, questions arise about the ethical ramifications. The idea that machines can make decisions seems intangible and even at times, scary. Fear around AI is a narrative that can be frequently found in popular media, where the focus is on the robots taking over and not on how AI is already improving our lives - the chatbot that helps to pay your gas bill on time, or the algorithm that sends you the shows you might like on your favourite streaming platform.

Bridging the gap between AI, the average person's comprehension and these media narratives is crucial, and that’s why projects such as Visualising AI are so important. This project weighs up both the concerns and the benefits of AI and makes the complex more accessible through imaginative visual art. By presenting AI in relatable and creative ways, these efforts empower individuals to engage in meaningful conversations about AI's implications.

The images and graphics are open-sourced, and the hope is that they will be used by people all over the world to encourage conversations around AI technology and make people feel that they have a voice in how the technology is developed.

The artists:

The artists included in this phase of Visualising AI are Ariel Lu, Linus Zoll , Martina Stiftinger, Nidia Dias, Novoto Studio, Wes Cockx and XK Studio. The art they have produced takes a look at topics such as responsible AI, energy efficiency, assistive tech and biodiversity.

Martina Stiftinger

Martina is a designer and visual artist based across the UK & Austria. Her work has established a unique style which focuses on minimalistic shapes fused with strong concepts. Her work is based on assistive AI and learning - how AI-powered tools can support us and save time while also helping to make learning more efficient.

Linus Zoll

Linus Zoll is a Berlin-based designer specializing in computer-generated imagery and art direction. Over the years, he has collaborated with several international clients and his work has been featured in various design publications. Despite not having a formal education in design, Linus has always been passionate about 3D software and began learning it as a child out of pure curiosity. As part of the Visualising AI project, Linus takes a look at the role of AI in reducing energy consumption and the process used by text-to-image diffusion models.

Nidia Dias

Nidia Dias is an art director and designer from Portugal currently based in Porto. Her work is focused on style frames and look development for motion. With a background in graphic design combined with motion, she creates visually compelling images that tell a story. Her colourful and experimental style is characteristic of a great sense of abstraction and visual attractiveness. Her work within the Visualising AI project depicts how AI could help understand ecosystems and identify different species and also assist in genome studies.

View the full collection here

To learn more about the Visualising AI project here or on Instagram